Condition-Controlled Rh(III)-Catalyzed Chemodivergent Cyclization of 2-Arylpyridines with CF 3 -Imidoyl Sulfoxonium Ylides via Triple C-H Activation

A condition-controlled Rh(III)-catalyzed selective synthesis of CF -substituted indoles and pyrido[2,1- ]isoindoles from 2-arylpyridines and CF -imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides has been developed. The Cp*Rh(MeCN) (SbF ) /HFIP system afforded CF -substituted indoles via triple C-H activation, while the [Cp*RhCl ] /MeCN condition selectively furnished CF -substituted pyrido[2,1- ]isoindoles through C-H [4 + 1] annulation. The notable advantages of this developed method included readily available starting materials, broad substrate scope, and excellent chemoselectivity. Importantly, several selected products showed promising antitumor activities.